26 February 2010 - Speed up Suffolk campaign gathers pace

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The high speed broadband campaign for Suffolk has got off to a flying start thanks your amazing support!

Suffolk registrations on the EEDA EREBUS website – set up to enable residents and businesses of the East of England to articulate formally and in detail the need for high speed broadband – has been one of the highest in the East of England.

This is an amazing result for the county. In real terms we are competing with the rest of the region if not the UK to ensure that Suffolk’s high speed Next Generation broadband needs are right at the top of the agenda. If the residents and businesses of Suffolk can help us achieve that and bring much needed investment into the county that will be a true measure of success.

However, the Suffolk Broadband Partnership is asking for one more push from the people of Suffolk to register on the EREBUS site to give Suffolk that distinctive edge over the rest of the region. So if you haven’t yet taken up the opportunity the Suffolk Broadband Partnership urges you to do so.

We know that high speed broadband is important in so many ways and to so many people and organisations. Focussing on the skills question for instance, we know that ICT is a major factor in education delivery for our young people and gaining access to the internet is associated with 10 GCSE points (controlling for achievement at KS3) and Losing access to a computer is associated with a reduction of 20 GCSE points, even after controlling for prior attainment”.

If you haven’t already done so, please take 5 minutes of your time to register on the EREBUS which can be found at

For help on articulating your exact needs, you may like to use these statements:

  • I need to buy and sell online including uploading high quality photographs
  • My children need to access the schools learning platform on line to do homework and access information
  • I need to gain a competitive edge in selling products online, hence faster broadband speed is crucial
  • I regularly need to carry downloading large files from suppliers’ websites
  • I need to have high quality audio / video conferencing with suppliers and staff who are generally home workers
  • I need to update my website, by uploading large image files on a regular basis
  • I need to carry out complex computer designs and email them to colleagues in other counties/countries
  • I need to deliver online training and support to customers, suppliers, and staff based offsite and possibly offshore in an interactive way
  • I want to complete my tax returns, accounts and other financial data online
  • I want to complete application forms online and need to send large quantities of data inc. public sector required paperwork

Vote now to stop Suffolk missing out!

For more information about the work of the broadband partnership, please contact Helen Utteridge on 01473 264823 or Frances Bedding on 0771 485 4998.